This isn't a sarcastic, smartass question. I've really started to wonder about this. They use the word "democracy" all the time, but do they mean democracy for everyone or just for them? They seem to be too eager to change the constitution (state and national) to secure "freedom" for themselves. George Bush is president of half the country and the other half (us) is ignored completely. I guess my question is this; Would right-wingers accept another form of government if it suited their purpose, or would they support democracy, even under Pres. Hillary Clinton?

The two are synonymous with fascism. This wasn't always the case, but by aligning itself with militant Christian clerics, the Republican party has devolved into a fundamentalist organization than can brook no dissent or tolerate any independent thought or minority viewpoint. It has become a monster that threatens the survival of democracy as conceived by our Enlightenment forefathers. They are, quite simply, the greatest evil ever known and proof - as if proof were needed - that fascism does not always come wearing funny moustaches.

And I don't think they would accept Hillary as their president. I know dome right wingers who watch Fox, and they truly believe everything that's said on that show.. pretty amazing! I think these people can't really think for themselves, and they believe everything shrub says.

I believe the average Homo Sapien is terrified of forming his own opinion. We are unsure, panicky creatures with fragile perceptions of self-worth, short attention spans, and as a species we experience great difficulty in abstract thinking. We also have a profound tribal instinct, but no tribes in the literal sense.

Hence, when someone tells us what to think, we leap at the opportunity. When we're simply regurgitating what we've been told, we are cleared of ALL responsibility. We also no longer have to question ourselves or our motives. Isn't the first thing any religion/party/business/talk show host says is "I'm right, YOU'RE right if you believe me, and together we are morally and intellectually superior to all others and can therefore freely and without guilt dismiss any opposing message as pure ignorance without examining it."

This is a powerful message. It brings order to our inner chaos and places our fragile egos safely above the storm that is life. There is a great sense of safety in accepting what you are told without question.

When you're a small child you believe anything your parents tell you. You believe Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. You believe Peter Rabbit is hopping down the bunny trail. You believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Great Pumpkin, and that babies come from storks. This puts your world in order and acknowledges that someone else is responsible for you. As adults, we simply seek other Santa Clauses to believe in.

Conformity of thought also satisfies our neglected tribal instinct. Even here at DU we've formed our own tribe. A group of mostly like-minded individuals operating under the concept of protecting each other while we oppose our enemies. Existence is lonely, and we are terribly social animals. The tribe is precious.

I firmly believe that the vast majority of people embrace whatever comes along first. Most (no, not all) political party members were born there. Most (no, not all) members of organized religion were introduced to it as children. I think that you will find most anti-abortionists come from parents or religions who are horrendously opposed to it all. Likewise for environmentalists, feminists, white supremacists, animal rights activists, or any other ideological group - you will find some event early in life that defines their current opinions.

And once opinions are formed, they are almost impossible to change - we as a species do not LIKE to be wrong. Don't confuse us with facts, we have THE TRUTH.

DISCLAIMER: I do not pretend to be a psychology major or a scholar of the human condition. I simply call 'em as I see 'em.

First, the business school ethos of the Republican Party is hierarchical. As much as the MBAs like to say they follow a democratic model it ain't from my experience. The shit always flows down hill.

Secondly, the "Christian Reconstructionist" wing, the moral value voters, is definitely hierarchical as democracy is antithetical to the anticipated "Kingdom of God."

(Now, Christian DUers, before you start flaming me for being anti-Christian I want you to stop, take a deep breath and notice that I've been very careful not to condemn all Christendom. All "Christian Reconstructionists" are Christian but not all Christians are "Christian Reconstructionists." Jerry Falwell is a "Christian Reconstructionist", William Sloan Coffin was not. Nor could I say that the Methodist minister of my youth, Pastor Leonard Tinker who greatly influenced my political thought, was anything but a liberal Christian.)

They're popping up all over the place (actually, they've been around for a long time, they've just gotten more visible since 1990 or so).

Republican Assemblies are Christian Reconstructionists operating under the Republican tent, and they make VERY little pretense about this. Surprise surprise, they vehemently endorsed * - the first presidential candidate to get that endorsement I believe.

He said, "The US isn't really a democracy. It wasn't set up that way. It's a republic." That made more sense than anything any Republican ever said before or since. The idea is that we are "somewhat" self-governing, but ultimately the power lies in our institutions.

I call bullshit.

The reason we elect representatives is for them to follow the will of the people - our will. They serve at our pleasure, not the other way around. Any who fail to do what we elect them to do should go out on their asses.

Unfortunately for all of us, the neocons and theofascists now control the electoral process. Democracy AND the republic are as good as dead until we can wrest control of it from them.

in their priorities. That's why they love General Pinochet of Chile, who overthrew Allende's democratic socialist goverment in 1973. Despite the fact Pinochet's regime tortured, raped and killed tens of thousands of left-wing opponents the Republicans love him - for he implemented their 'free market' that they idolize. If republicans can achieve their free market goals by democracy then they'll try it that way; if democracy doesn't work for them then they'll try other means to get into power - fraud, intimidation, bribery. They seem to be prepared to do what it takes.

In election after election, they work extremely hard at suppressing voter turnout and at denying what they perceive to be the underclasses the right to vote. That alone answers your question.

If you add in the class warfare they have waged in Murka since WWII, if not before, their agenda becomes clear. They want an imperial "President" and to have the corporate and financial elite elevated to the status of nobility.

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